Science and Engineering Fair
The North Museum Science and Engineering Fair’s Board of Directors Honoree 2024
Each year, the North Museum’s Board of Directors’ Honoree for Excellence in Science Education is awarded to one outstanding Lancaster County educator that is nominated by their peers.
This year’s winner is awarded to Dr. Theresa Swenson.
Dr. Swenson holds a Bachelor of Science, Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Continuing, Theresa attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to attain her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physiological Chemistry. Dr. Swenson has a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Attending Kutztown University Dr. Swenson received a teaching certificate in both chemistry and biology.
For over 15 years, Dr. Swenson has been an ardent supporter of the science fair at Elizabethtown High School with her students as well as serving as a category judge at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). For many years she has served as a key member of the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) for the North Museum Science and Engineering Fair (NMSEF). Without her knowledge of both biochemistry and ISEF rules / procedures, NMSEF’s student participants would be at a distinct disadvantage.
Outside Elizabethtown High School, where Dr. Swenson is a Chemistry, Biochemistry, AP Biology Teacher, National Honor Society advisor, as well as the Science Fair Advisor, she is an Adjunct professor of Microbiology, Anatomy and Mammalian Physiology at Penn State University Harrisburg. In her free time, she serves as the Hershey Symphony Orchestra’s Personnel Manager and Music Librarian and plays in the orchestra.
The North Museum Science and Engineering Fair’s Board of Directors’ Honoree 2023
Each year, the North Museum’s Board of Directors’ Honoree for Excellence in Science Education is awarded to one outstanding Lancaster County educator that is nominated by their peers.
This year’s winner is awarded to Dr. Daniel Daneker. Dr. Daniel Daneker served Conestoga Valley School District in Lancaster PA for 34 years as a middle school and high school science teacher and administrator. He received his undergraduate degree in Earth science and biology from Millersville University and general science certificate from Elizabethtown College. In 1995, he earned a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Kutztown University. Returning to Millersville University, he earned a curriculum and instruction supervisory and K-12 principal certification. In 2015, Dan completed his dissertation and earned a doctor of education (Ed.D.) in K-12 educational leadership from Immaculata University.
Dan has taught advanced biology, 10th grade biology, 9th grade Earth Science and 8th grade general science. As a university adjunct, he taught multiple courses for Millersville University and still teaches several undergraduate and graduate level courses for Eastern Mennonite University. Starting in 2006, Dan served Conestoga Valley School District as the K-12 subject area supervisor for the Sci-Tech department, a combination of the science and technology education departments. In July 2021, he was assigned as a new assistant principal at Gerald G. Huesken Middle School. In June 2022, he retired from the Conestoga Valley School District.
For NMSEF, Dan has served on the Governing SRC since 2009 when the fair was transferred from the Lancaster Newspapers to the North Museum. He has served as the Fair Director five times during this time period and has continually served as the Safety and Display Chair. After retirement from CVSD, Dan took on the role of Science Fair Coordinator for the North Museum of Nature and Science.
The North Museum Science and Engineering Fair’s Board of Directors Honoree 2022
Each year, the North Museum’s Board of Directors’ Honoree for Excellence in Science Education is awarded to one outstanding Lancaster County educator that is nominated by their peers.
This year’s winner is awarded to Mr. Doug Balmer from Warwick High School. Mr. Balmer creates a rigorous and challenging learning environment for his students to excel in their understanding of chemistry and research science. He also donates innumerable hours after school to keep the lab open to allow students an opportunity to complete challenging projects in a safe environment. A parent commented on his approach by stating…. “As a parent it is such a joy to see your child challenged and inspired by a teacher who selflessly goes the extra mile for his/her students and this is what you see time and time again.” Mr. Balmer creates a culture of achievement and respect that has translated in his students performing well at the NMSEF and going on to more advanced science electives as well as STEM careers beyond high school. Doug has written and received numerous grants for science equipment including a portable fume hood, and a 3-D printer. He graciously shares his knowledge and expertise with fellow science teachers and he’s supported the North Museum’s Science Fair with formatting documents. His creativity, enthusiasm and energy will continue to guide and inspire students in science for many years to come.
On behalf of the Board of Directors for the North Museum of Nature and Science, the teacher who was unanimously chosen for the 2022 North Museum Board of Director’s Honoree for Excellence in Science Education is Mr. Doug Balmer.
Congratulations Mr. Doug Balmer!
The North Museum Science and Engineering Fair’s Board of Directors Honoree 2021
This year’s Board of Director’s Honoree goes to Mr. James Hovan.
As a member of the science fair community, Mr. Hovan has coordinated and directed the “CV Science Expo” (Conestoga Valley’s local fair) for nearly 20 years. In the 2016-17 school year, CV implemented the Honors Scientific Research class to which Mr. Hovan immediately was recommended to the post of teacher. In this class (and in the Honors Class Science Fair program before it), Mr. Hovan successfully mentored hundreds of science fair students as their adult sponsor. While Mr. Hovan has distinguished himself at CV for his tireless efforts on behalf of his students and the Science Fair, he has also risen to the challenge of supporting the North Museum Science and Engineering fair as a key member of the Governing Scientific Review Committee (SRC). Mr. Hovan is a dependable member of the SRC as he faithfully attends SRC meetings, project review nights, new teacher presentations, and he supports the actual science fair at the ‘hub’ by setting up tables, conducting Safety and Display inspections, moderating the judge’s deliberation rooms and even distributing the Auxilary and Category Awards on stage. Mr. Hovan has further supported science fair students (not just CV) by attending ISEF in 2015 in Pittsburg, PA.
Congratulations Mr. Jim Hovan!
The Board of Directors Honoree was established by the North Museum of Nature and Science board in 2009. Each year educators are nominated by their peers for this prestigious award and one lucky teacher is selected. The honor includes $1000 donated from the Board of Directors from the North Museum to the school district of the selected educator to support science education.
North Museum Science & Engineering Fair
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